Asthma sufferers in Tasmania are set to welcome today’s launch of the new AirRater Smartphone application through Sense-T Stage 2 project funding.
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Australian Government has provided $13 million towards the research and development of the Sense-T Stage 2 project under the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Package, with $843,000 committed to the AirRater project.
“The AirRater project is one of 14 projects sharing in more than $6 million of funding through the Sense-T Stage 2 project that will support the use of sensor technology and data analysis to solve industry problems to help the Tasmanian economy,” Mr McCormack said.
“Once completed, the Sense-T Stage 2 project will be able to deliver commercial solutions that will help industries be more competitive, efficient and sustainable.
“It will also create an advanced sensor manufacturing capability in Tasmania and enable the undertaking of leading-edge research in sensor technology and data science to support industry innovation.”
Senator for Tasmania, Senator the Hon. Stephen Parry said the AirRater Smartphone application would alert vulnerable Tasmanians when they are at risk of air-borne pollutants such as pollen and smoke.
“The app will collect valuable information from users to allow researchers to better understand and respond to the impact of air pollution on our health,” Senator Parry said.
“The AirRater project will be able to produce reports which show each user how environmental conditions have impacted their symptoms and provide an alert when similar conditions are present or forecast.
“Tasmania is the perfect testing ground for this new project as it is small enough to be feasible and large enough to produce robust results.
“The Sense-T Stage 2 project is divided into four packages with each package allocated a portion of the $13 million. This funding is a significant portion of the $106 million committed under the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Package to build a stronger economy by supporting jobs and growth.”
The Sense-T AirRater project currently involves 10 staff. Stage 2 project commenced in September 2014 and is scheduled for completion in March 2017.
Sense-T Stage 2 is a jointly funded project with the Australian Government committing $13 million, the University of Tasmania $950,000 and National ICT Australia $1 million.
Senator the Hon. Stephen Parry President of the Senate Senator for Tasmania Michael McCormack MP Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister
